Variable condenser



April 29, F. BEHRINGER I 1,756,447

VARIABLE CONDENSER Filed Aug. 28, 71926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 29, 1930.

G. F. BEHRINGER VARIABLE CONDENSER Filed Aug. '28, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 29, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GBOVEB F. BEHBINGEB; OF DEIIANCE, OHIO,

' PACKAGE COMPANY, OF DEFIANCE, OHIO,

ASSIGNOB, TO THE AMERICAN STEEL A CORPORATION OF OHIO VARIABLE" 'connnnsnn' Application filed'August 28, 1926. Serial No. 132,229.

portant that these condensers be manufactured within close limits of accuracy and yet proof against short circuiting by contact of a movable plate with a stationary one. It is also essential that the assembly of these devices thus accurately be carried out by relatively unskilled labor rapidly and at slight expense. The efliciency of such devices is quite frequently impaired during their use by the gradual corrosion set up between contacting surfaces of dissimilar metals which might thus have electrolytic effect and consequently the same metal is' specified. j It is also an object of my invention to provide a bearing for the rotary shaft which shall maintain its efiiciency both mechanicallyand I conductively throughout the life of the device and without adjustment.

' It is an important advantage resulting from my structure that adjustment may be quickly and positively made in the clearance between the series of rotary and stationary plates, so

that the same shall have a proper air clearance and consequently uniform electrical capacity.

By virtue of a'novel connection between the plates and the member holding them it is possible to rely upon a frictional contact between the plates and the holding members for properly positioning the two. In this manner the inherent resilience of the material is taken advantageof. At the same time the plates are maintained in proper parallel position Without buckling. v

For this and other advantages to be'found in this invention, reference is made to the following description and the appended drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a plan viewof the condenser; Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is an end elevation;

' is extended vertically to provide a is a vertical section on the line 4-4 f of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section on the line 5-5'of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section onthe line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 illustrates the method of applying plates to the holding member;

Fig. 8 illustrates the method of fastening the said members together;

' Fig. 9 is a side view of one of the movable platesand Fig. 10. is a side view of one of the station-- ary plates. v

As showing one preferred form of my device there is illustrated in Fig 1 an integral.

frame 11, made of sheet material of any desirable conducting metal which may be cast or bent'to provide a back 12 and parallel side members 13 and 14. Each of the side members 13 and 14 is drilled in two places as indicated at 16 to receive means for mounting stationary plates. Each of the side members support 17 which is countersunk at 18 to form a journal for the rotary shaft. It is to be understood that the metal of which this frame is made has suflicient resilience to cause the extensions 17 to be moved in and out against the corresponding shoulders of the rotary shaft and thus control the frictional engagement therewith. This operation is produced hearing by exerting tension upon the bolts running I through the openlngs 16. The opening 16 in side member 13 receives an insulating sleeve 19 having a reduced collar 20 fitting within a hole 16. The sleeve-is countersunk to receive the head of screw 21 which serves as one fastening means for the element that holds the stationary plates in position. This screw 21 carries a lock] nut 22. The corresponding opening 16 of the opposite side member 14 is 21 and receives the- 23 of an insulating sleeve 24. 5

in alignment with screw reduced collar A round head screw 25 is fitted Within the sleeve 24 and carries lock nut 26.

Screw threaded sleeve 27 is held by the free ends of screws 21 and 25 and the position of the sleeve with respect to the slde members 1 13 and 14 is adjusted by turning the screws 21 and 25. The position desired is maintained by the lock nuts 22and 26. This forms means serving both the purpose of positioning the sleeve with respect to the side members 13 and 14 and consequently the movable shaft and also the purpose of contracting the side members 13 and 14 to maintain a desired tenround head screw 32 upon which is mounted 'be bent-inwardly in the-manner indicated in Fig. 4, thus securely locking the plates against an insulatingsleeve 33having collar 34. By

means of this screw and collar the condenser may be mounted upon a panel or the like and yet remain insulated from the panel.

The form of stationary plates 35 is as indicated in Fig. 10. Recesses 36 are provided at opposite ends of one edge'to slide upon the sleeves 27, 27 The opposite side of the plate is recessed to permit the positioning of the rotary shaft in spaced relation to the stationary plate 35. I

As will be evident from Figs. 1 and 5, plates 35 are fitted within alternate grooves on the sleeves 27 As shown in Fig. 5 the first plate 35 .is fitted in the groove between the second and third rib 29 and 30 and the successive plates are fitted in alternate grooves along the length of sleeve 27 In this way the inherent resilience of the metal of which the sleeve is constructed helps to admit of the insertion of the plate where the fit tends to be tight, the ribs giving way into the adjacent free grooves. In this inannerthe plates are maintained substantially parallel in the plane of the evenly numbered grooves without any tendency to become distorted. No additional means are found necessary to hold these plates in position since the frictionalcontact is of sufficient strength. However, the end lugs 37,37 may accidental removal from-the sleeves 27. As above stated the sleeves 27 may be adjusted longitudinally of the screws 21 and 25 and locked in the desired position. 1

The shaft 38 has a reduced conical end 39 fitting within the, opening 18-of side member 14. A corresponding reduced conical extension 40 extends through. the outside aligned opening 18 in the extension 17 from side member 13. To this free end 40 may be applied a knob handle or other operating means by which the shaft may be turned. Due to the position of the shoulders 41, 41 against the inner surfaces of the members 13 and 14 and the tension exerted by screws 21 and 25. it

will be evident that the shaft will be maintained in'desired position. The shaft 38 is grooved to provide ribs throughout the greater part of its length. The grooves are of a size adapted to receive the sheet metal plates which are to be held the shaft. These plates 42 have a general form indicated by Fig. 9. The diametrical edge ofthe semicircular plate 42 has spaced lugs 43, 43 providing a recess 44 of a size to fit within one of the grooves made by the adjacent ribs 45 on the shaft. The ribs 45 on shaft 38 are bevellcd at their outer edges as indicated in Fig. 6. This assists in the insertion of the plates 42 which are held by a friction grip, the metal in the ribs 45 springing outwardly as far as necessary into the adjacent open grooves between the ribs. The one in which the lugs 43 fit within the grooves of the shaft 38 is shown in Fig. 7. The free ends of the lugs 43, 43 are then upset or peened free as indicated in Fig, 8, thus locking the plate 42 against rotation upon the shaft 38.

A connecting lug 46 is provided to fit over one. screw 25 and against the sleeve 27. A second connecting lug 47 is riveted or otherwise attached to the bottom 12 of the frame.

In assembling the completed condenser it will be apparent that the stationary plates can be fitted to sleeves 27. 27, in the desired manner and as illustrated in Figs. 4" and 5. The sleeves 27 are then placed in alignment between aperturesflfi, 16 and screws 21 and 25 threaded into the sleeves to compress the insulating collars 19 and 24 against the respective side walls 13 and 14. f Y

Shaft 38 is fitted within the journal bearings 18 on the extensions 17 17. The movable plates 42 are then slipped into alternate grooves between the ribs 45 on shaft 38 and the free lugs 43 bent over. It is to be understood that the several plates are placed around the shaft in the desired position either all with their diametrical edges coincident or in adjusted relation one to the other. After the ends of the lugs 43, 43 have been struck up or bent the plates will maintain their position against accidental displacement. The

tension of the bearing extensions 17, 17

against the shoulders 41.42 of the shaft 38 is controlled by turning the four screws 21, 21 and 25, 25. At the same time the sleeves 27 can be moved from side to side along the screws 21, 25 in order to bring the stationary plates iii-equal spaced relation. to the adjacent movable plates 42. The screws 21 and 25 therefore constitute means for determinrespect to the movable ones.

As above described the condenser is made of substantially the same metal throughout thus avoiding the possibility of high resistance due to corrosion and power contact betW88I1 joining faces of dissimilar metals. Again the use'of such metal as brass, aluminum or the like provides ease in shaping an integral frame which shall have sutficient inis carried out by turning one or more of the screws after changing the tension imposed upon the bearings 18, 18.

In attaching the plates to the shaft 38' or sleeves 27 as the case may be, in the manner above described, it is. possible to make the plates, shaft and sleeves of the same metal and to provide a frictional contact between surfaces of the same metal without soldering. By reason of the alternate free grooves between the pairs of rods holding the plates, the latter are maintained in the desired parallel planes at equal distances apart. The open grooves intermediate the pairs of ribs holding the plates allow the slight displace ment of the ribs so that the plates may be inserted without distortion and without tending to buckle. Any slight variation in the I thickness of the plates will therefore be compensated for without disturbing the adjustment between the plates.

It is to be understood that the above description and the drawings represent one preferred form of the invention but that minor details may of course be varied and numerous changes made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim g 1. In an electrical condenser the combination of a frame, parallel bearing extensions integral with the sides of the frame and adjustable means for constricting the sides to cause the extensions toapproach each other.

2. In an electrical condenser the combination of a frame, parallel bearing extensions ame and integral with the sides of the j of the means extending between the sldes frame to vary the spacing thereof.

3. In an electrical condenser, the combination of a U-shaped frame, and adjustable means extending between the parallel sides thereof, for varying the distance between the.

sides. I

4. In an electrical condenser the combination of a frame, parallel bearing extensions integral with the sides of the frame a plate support'between the sides of the frame, and adjustable means connecting the support with-the sides of the frame.

5. Inan electrical condenser thecombination of a frame, parallel bearing extensions integral with the sides of the frame, a plate support between the sides adjustable means serving to connect the support with the sides ofthe frame and constrict the latter.

6. In an electrical condenser the combina tion of a frame, parallel bearing extensions tervening fixed space between the of the frame and supports, a plurality -of a series of plates integral with the sides of the frame, a movable plate support carried between said extensions, a stationary plate support between the sides of the frame and means for adjusting. the position of the stationary supportwith respect to the movable support.

7. In an electrical condenser the combination of a frame, parallel bearing extensions integral with the sides of the frame, a movableplate support carried between said extensions, a stationary plate support between the sides of the frame and means for adjustin with respect to the movable support,,sa1d means also serving to maintain the desired tension between the bearing extensions and the movable support. I

8. In an electrical condenser the combination of a frame of conducting material, parallel bearing extensions integral with the sides of the frame, a-movable plate support of the same material carried between said extensionsand means for exerting a tension betweenthe sides of the frame to maintain the desired frictional electrical contact between the support and the extensions.

the position of the stationary support 9. In an electrical condenser the com'bination of a frame, parallel bearing extensions integral with the sides of the frame, a movable plate support carried-between said extensions, a plate support between the sides of the frame, aligned insulating sleeves in said sides and spacing members for said support carried in said sleeves. i

10. In an electrical condenser in combina-. tion with-a series of parallel plates, a plate holding element comprising a shaft, a plurality of spaced resilient flanges integral therewith, each separate pair of flanges holding a plate, said flanges being adapted to give into the intervening free spaces between the separate pairs of flanges holding the plates.

'11. In an electrical condenser, a series of' plurality of spaced plates, a support, and a said flanges parallel flanges integral thereon, frictionally holding the plates with flanges which hold adjacent plates.

12. In an electrical condenser, a series .of plates, spaced lugs on each plate, a.'support comprising a shaft, and a pluralityof-spaced parallel flanges integral thereon, the lugs of the plates beifig fixedly held between separate pairs of said flanges.

""13. In an electr cal condenser, a support,

a plurality of spaced parallelflanges integral thereon, a series of plates, spaced lugscn eaeh plate, each plate having its lugs rigidly titted between a separate 'pair of flanges to leave a fixed space intervening adjacent pairs of flanges.

14. In an electrical condenser, stationary spaced parallel flanges integral thereon,

an inbetween the each fitted betweenpairs of flanges n the shafts and arranged to provide a fixed space between the flanges holding adjacent plates. 15. In an electrical condenser, a frame, stationary plate holding elements, a plurality of spaced parallel flanges thereon, a series of plates fitted between the flanges of said ele ments and arranged to provide a space be tween the flanges holding adjacent plates, :1 m movable plate holding element opposite the stationary elements, said movable element having a plurality of spaced parallel flanges thereon, a series of plates fitted between the flanges ofsaid element and arranged to pro- Videa space between the flanges holding adjacent plates, and means for maintainin the plates of one element in the planes 0 the spaces between the flanges of the other element. a In testimony whereof, l have hereunto affixed nay signature.

GRQVER r. BEHRINGER. 

